// Happy Shrove Sunday! Baked some laskiaispullia (Shrove buns?) yesterday, with almond paste (of course!?) for me and jam for my roommate. Not the prettiest, and made by me, who hasn't baked more than maybe 10 times in my lifetime, but they ended up being pretty good if you ask me.

// I've left a bunch of school assignments for the last minute again, as usual, so I'm spending the whole day today and tomorrow by my desk with a bunch of papers, pens and my laptop. Not the easiest when you have two kittens running and jumping around... Next week, if I have time to edit the pictures and write the blog post, I'm starting a new "series" on my blog, which includes food. But now I really have to get back to my studies, I hope you've all had a great weekend and have a great start of the new week tomorrow! And don't forget to eat lots of Shrove buns (or pancakes!)

// Today (yesterday when this post is being published) I got on the bus to Turku. It was a very short visit that took 1,5h. I got on the train back home, with me two small fluffballs. Blog, say hello to my 12 week old babies, Suki and Chibi.

The train ride was a success. They didn' cry at all, they actually slept most of the time. Chibi was awake while we waited for the train, but Suki slept then, too. They started exploring the apartment immediately when we came home, then they played a little, ate, and played some more until they were tired. They slept a little, just to run around again. They keep walking on and jumping over my laptop as I'm writing this.

// How do you know who's who? Chibi has a pink nose, and is a bit smaller. Suki has a black nose. Suki is definitely calmer and more relaxed. She looks at Chibi who's playing, running from room to room like never before and jumping up high. Suki is also a lot more easier to take pictures of, since she stays more still and she looks right into the camera when she hears the sound of it. I'm very excited to spend the next, hopefully 20 years with these two. ❤︎

// The first Friday in February. We finally got our things moved to the storage and since our living room has been our storage until now, it's nice that it doesn't look like a storage anymore. Since we got rid of the things we can also finally clean the apartment properly so that's my plan for today. Before tackling the long to do list, I decided to bake some oat bread and enjoy a nice breakfast for once, consisting of what you can see on the pictures - freshly baked bread and a cup of cappuccino.

Tomorrow's plan is to do a school assignment in hopes of not leaving it until the last minute like ususal. Other than that, I'm just gonna take it easy, play some sims, make a little nicer dinner and watch Melodifestivalen which starts again tomorrow. It feels like I haven't had a 100% relaxing day in a long time so it's definitely time for that now.

// In my post about last year I mentioned that something pretty big and exciting is happening in the near future. Well, on Sunday it's time. I had a sneak peak on my Instagram story a few days ago and here's a picture that probably reveals it. Just two more nights... But now, time to clean.

// Three weeks of this year has already gone by. My lectures started again this week, so obviously at the same time my routines and all that started, too. Besides the studying for these courses, I also have a few tests from previous courses that I have to take this spring. I definitely have some tough and stressful months ahead of me, but I'm going to survive it somehow. I guess it will be enough with some good planning, use of the time and stress management.

The apartment is also starting to look pretty good, which is nice. I'm just waiting for the floors to be empty and to finally be able to clean the whole apartment properly. I also bought some tulips earlier this week to brighten up the kitchen a little (because it does look a lot more homey with some flowers, right?!) and then I for some reason wanted to bake something. I, who hates baking, and doesn't even really like anything sweet. Is this a symptom of what they call "being an adult" and "independent"?

// Susanna and I took the train to the city center on Wednesday afternoon, to experience this year's Lux Helsinki. It's a light festival that lighted up the dark center of Helsinki for the 10th time this year. I've never been to Lux before, but I had heard some negative opinions about this year's festival, so I didn't go there with high expectations, but I was still a bit excited. It was pretty beautiful and fun, despite the cold weather. If you'd like to see video material (in Finnish) from Lux, take a look at Susanna's vlog on her Youtube channel tomorrow!

The first week of 2018 is soon ending. I've spent the whole week unpacking, cleaning and doing other things in the apartment. A week since the move and it almost looks like someone else than a bunch of moving boxes is living there. I was supposed to post a 2017 list already before New Year's, but you can probably understand I haven't had that much time (also I've been lazy). Anyway, here is a short list about last year. Better late than never, I guess.

Describe 2017 in three words: Exciting, tough and eventful.

Did you do something you've never done before? Yes! I graduated, started studying at university, moved to Helsinki, moved to my first apartment, went to Glöggrundan, saw a horror movie at the cinema, went to a symphony concert (Harry Potter), visited a cat cafe...

What did you spend most money on? I'm pretty sure my Macbook takes the price here. Other things I spent quite a lot of money on are books, furniture and other necessary things for my apartment and food.

Were you happier or sadder than before? Sadder. Of course I had some good times here and there, but overall it wasn't a good year.

What do you wish you had done more of? Focused on my studies, been more spontanous, trusted myself, lived healthier, taken photos. These are all things I'm going to try to do more of during 2018.

What do you wish you had done less of? I definitely stressed about everything, small and big, as well as put too much thought on things that definitely wouldn't have needed it.

Favourite movie and tv-show you watched? I watched quite many tv-shows, but I think Gilmore Girls is my favourite out of them. I'm actually currently rewatching it. The only movie I remember I watched is IT, but that one was pretty good too.

The best book you read? Unfiltered by Lily Collins and Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon.

What are your plans for 2018? I don't have any at the moment. A pretty big thing is happening soon, but you'll have to wait to see what that is. ;-) Overall I'm just hoping this year will be better than last year.

Hello from a little chaos! I haven't mentioned it here, but, I'm moving! I've been living temporarily with a relative for a few months, but I'm finally getting my own home. I'm moving in with a friend already next week! I've packed my whole room here already since I'm going homehome today, so everything is ready for the day of the move.

Packing isn't the only thing I've done lately. I've also had a lot of school stress since I've had different assignments and exams to study for. I've also been to IKEA and fixed a bunch of things for the apartment. I still have a learning diary to send in today, and tomorrow I have an appointment at Kela, but after that I'm officially on holiday. I have absolutely nothing to do for a whole week. Talk about luxury! Looking forward to just taking it easy and celebrating Christmas with my family, before it's time to move.

I'm now going to take all my stuff and run to the bus so I won't miss my train. I'm publishing a book haul soon, but I'm wishing you all a merry Christmas already now. If you don't celebrate Christmas, I hope you still have a great end of the year!

Last week's Thursday I woke up early to take the bus to Turku, where I met my friend Mimmi. Later in the day it was time for one of the biggest finnswedish events for students, Glöggrundan! We drank, as the name says, glögg (mulled wine), took shot after shot and also drank the most delicious drink ever (the white one in the picture). We also ate at Hesburger, tried to figure out where everyone studied based on the colours of their boilersuits, and sewed badgets on the boilersuit instead of going to the afterparty. It was fun! Hopefully I'm going next year again. Also, the Christmas decorations in Turku were so beautiful! Especially the ones at the market square. I could have stayed there to admire it the whole night.

// It has, once again, been very silent on my blog. I wish the reason for the silence would be something very exciting, but I've actually not really done anything. I thought I would share some pictures from my phone from the past month.

// I came back to a snowy and very cold Helsinki on Friday night. My friend came to Helsinki at the same time, and went back to Turku on Sunday. It was always about 7pm when we arrived at my place, so we went to Kaari to eat at Hesburger.

// The second season of Stranger Things was released on Friday, so I started the day, and my last few hours in Hanko, watching the first episode in bed with breakfast and a cat begging for food. I've also watched too much Paradise Hotel in the past month. I started watching it just to see what it is, but I'm actually enjoying it now... I also bought John Green's new book! Wasn't going to buy it yet, but I couldn't leave it on the shelf when I saw it in the bookstore.

// I have a lot of food pictures on my phone, so I feel like I have to share at least one of them here too. Here I had made sweet potato patties with a herb sauce, and some rice and a salad. On Saturday I went to Robins concert, and it was so good. I have to say though, that the amount of phones you saw was a bit depressing, and really annoying. I am now back in Helsinki as I already mentioned, and a new semester at school started this week. I can already tell that the next two weeks are going to be really stressful.

I don't have lectures at uni on Thursdays. So, last night I thought I would be productive today, wake up early, start the day with a jog in the forest and get a bunch of school stuff done. But, I woke up at 12, didn't want to go out in the bad weather and ate breakfast at 2pm. But some days can be like this, right?

Although my morning didn't go as planned, I still have to start working on my tasks for school. I have to write notes for our group project, and an individual task has its deadline on Sunday. I won't have time for school stuff during the weekend, as my friend is coming to Helsinki on Saturday. Fun! I should also start with an online course, as well as study for a test I have in two weeks. But I think I'll leave that for another day.

Something planned: I went home to Hanko on Thursday and spent the rest of the week there. Something unplanned: My friend Moa sent me a message on Friday, asking if I want to meet up for a coffee at Cafferie.

cat café helsinki | helkatti

Last week, on Thurday, when I had a day off from university, I met my friend Susanna. She had booked a table for us at the cat café in Helsinki, Helkatti, so we spent some time there eating, talking and petting some cats.

I ordered a cappuccino and a croissant filled with lettuce, basil, tomato and mozzarella, while Susanna ordered a salad. We decided to share a cake assortment with three different, small cakes. It was all very good, would recommend.

There were about 8 cats I believe, most of them were sleeping for the most part but they all (?) did show up at some point. The café itself was very cute and cosy, and being surrounded by cats was a nice add to it. After the café we went to some shops at the centre, before heading to the jeminalovespaper shop, after which we both went our own ways again. Overall it was a nice day, and seeing Susanna again after years(!!) was fun.

Psst! If you haven't yet, would you be so very kind to give your answers to my survey here? I would really appreciate it!

lunch at cafferie hanko

Last week, a few days before my move(!!), I went to Cafferie (maybe better known as Café Regatta as it was called before) with my friend Moa. I had offered to buy her lunch as a part of her birthday present. Unfortunately they were out of the chanterelle soup by the time we went there (it's the best!), but instead we took a salad each. My friend went for an asian sesame salad with chicken, and I decided to go out of my comfort zone and took the vegan one.

The asian sesame with chicken salad.

My vegan salad. It consisted of lettuce, cucumber, sundried tomatoes, guacamole, kidney beans, pumpkin seeds, and balsamic vinegar, topped with some parsley. The reason I said I stepped out of my comfort zone is because I'm not a fan of beans or avocado, and I had never really tried sundried tomatoes. I'm glad I chose this one though, because the tomatoes were the only thing I couldn't eat.

If you're ever in Hanko or Ekenäs during lunch time, I strongly recommend trying Cafferie. They have super good lunches and their salads are always available to order. They also offer cakes, which I actually haven't tried myself, but I'm sure they're just as good as their food. The café is by the sea, so besides the good food, you also get a pretty great view.

Why You Should Vote

I was going to write this post already two years ago when we had the parliamentary elections in Finland, but I never got around to doing it. But it's election time again here in Finland, this time it's the municipal elections, and that means constantly hearing people around me saying they aren't going to vote or that they're unsure. And honestly, knowing there's people who don't vote makes me quite angry. So, here's a few reasons why you should vote.

➤ You have the right to vote. Having the right to vote and having a say in society really is a privilege. There's millions of people around the world wishing they would even just once get to vote, meanwhile you're wasting dozens of opportunities for no real reason. Imagine if you wouldn't have the right to vote, you would probably not think that's okay. So why on earth aren't you voting?

➤ Someone fought for your right to vote. There's a time in history when the right to vote was restricted, and there are still today countries where it still is like that. The only reason you have the right today, is because someone at some point in history decided to fight for it. So if you can't find any other reason to vote, at least do it for all those brave people.

➤ Your vote does count. It might feel like it doesn't matter, "my vote doesn't count anyway". But it absolutely does count. That one vote might be the only reason someone wins, or doesn't win the election. By voting for party/candidate A, you're taking one vote away from party/candidate B. And imagine if no one went to the polling station, only because they thought their vote doesn't count. The election could end absolutely horrendously. Which is still sometimes does, because so many people don't vote.

➤ You have the right to complain afterwards. You have absolutely no right to complain about the results or the decisions that are made if you haven't voted. If only the candidates you hate won, don't complain about it. You had your chance to do something, to support someone better, but you didn't. Don't complain then either.

➤ It affects your life. No matter what the election is, it still affects you and your life. It affects your parents, your siblings, your friends. It affects everyone who lives in your country. Vote for someone who promises things that are important for you. If you're a student, the parliamentary might make decisions about student loans - which affects you. If you're an elder, sick, poor, etc., or know anyone who's any of these - any bad decision can be made that affects these people, e.g. laws concerning financial support or health care. You have an opinion, so find someone who has the same thoughts as you and supports the same things. If that candidate does win, that's one vote less for any bad decisions that might be made.

I'm fully aware that it might be hard to find the perfect candidate or even political party. It's even harder if you're not really interested in politics. Which I'm personally not, not at all. Finding the perfect candidate has been impossible for me, and it will most likely be for you too, because there's no one who has the exact same thoughts as you.

I've personally done a lot of research on parties and candidates (several days worth of it), I've done "quizzes" to find out which party and which candidate is the best for me, I've gone through all social media sites of the candidates I've been thinking about, I've read up on politics and important words I might come across, I've made sure to find someone who meets my criteria (e.g. I've always given my vote to a woman), etc. I've done all this and more before both of the elections I've been allowed to vote in. I've done all of this just to make sure I'm really voting for the right person. But there's no need to do all of this. Just find a quiz, answer the questions and vote for the person you have the most in common with. There's no right or wrong way to find a candidate. As long as you find one and vote.

Voting in elections is so incredibly important. It's so important to show society that you're interested, that you care about who leads the country/town,who has more power than a normal citizen, who makes decisions that affect everyone living in the area. And you do care about the decisions made concerning the municipal or country you live in, you don't want any bad decisions to be made, do you? And you should especially vote if you're young. You're going to be here longer than any of the older people. Don't let all the old people decide about your future. So, please, go vote. Please use this privilege you have. Do some research, find someone you like, go vote. It doesn't take much time from your day (but it can if you want it to).

Welcome, 2017

1. saw imagine dragons live in january 2. took too many pictures of my cat 3. went to russia in may 4. saw some of my favourite finnish artists live at helsinki päivä in june

It feels like 2016 was a tough year for a lot of people, but also for the whole world as a whole with so many bad things happening through the year. For me personally it was overall quite uneventful. I studied a lot, had my first matriculation exams and worked the whole summer. I did fit some more fun things here and there, which you can see in the pictures.

5. saw a lot of beautiful sunsets 6. went to linnanmäki 7. went on a roadtrip up to ostrobothnia 8. finally got new glasses

It's already the second day of 2017, hopefully it has started well for everyone. I'm relaxing and spending time at my grandmother's house until school starts again next week. For me these first few months of this year are going to be really stressful. I only have six weeks left of school (!!!), matriculation exams starting next month, I'm applying for schools in March, turning 20 in April and hopefully graduating in May.

At the start of the year many people decide on a New Year's resolution. Do I have any? Kind of. They're more like goals. I have a few small goals, which I've written down in my journal, and will keep them private this time. But overall I'm striving for a healthier me, both physically and mentally. One of my goals are to start blogging again. I have a lot of ideas and motivation, so stay tuned for an active blog again.

9. went to a café for lunch maybe a few times too much 10. saw fantastic beasts!! 11. dyed my hair black again 12. tried "porkkala" - vegan salmon, a new vegan craze in finland. i also overall ate a lot more vegan

What were some of your 2016 highlights, and do you have any resolutions or goals for 2017?

FALL COLOURS

I spent a few hours outside the other taking photos, mostly of my friend. Might share some photos soon once I've edited them and asked for permission!

It felt really nice to go out and take photos again, it's been so long since the last time I even had the inspiration to do it. I still remember how much I loved photographing, and I really want to start doing it again. I wrote about this a few months ago too, but nothing has changed since that. How on earth do I change it, how do I get the inspiration back?

ON MY CAMERA ROLL

It's been two weeks since my summer holiday started, and honestly I haven't done much at all. Not that there has been much to do either, since the weather has been absolutely rubbish most of the time. What I have done though, is spent way too much time on my computer. I've gone through all the pictures on my computer, and ended up deleting thousands, as well as editing quite a few too.

The same day my holiday started, I went to the beach to take some pictures of my friends who graduated. I also visited Helsinki with my friend on the 12th, since it was Helsinki-päivä and there was a free concert with artists like Robin and JVG.

One of the things I really want to do this summer, is to start taking photos again. I absolutely loved it a few years ago, and I still do, I just never actually grab my camera and go take those pictures I daydream about. And the sad thing is that most of the time it's like my brain doesn't even remember cameras still exist.

LIFE LATELY

Detta inlägg är på både svenska och engelska. This post is in both English and Swedish.

I can't believe my last blog post was two months ago! I've been super busy with school, I feel like I actually haven't done anything but school work both at and outside of school for a month. Which is true, I actually haven't had time for anything. That's also the reason why I haven't posted anything here in so long. Along with not really having inspiration to do so. I'm back now though! I have lots of ideas and inspiration. I'm going to start with the book review I think I promised two and a half months ago.

In addition to school work, since my last blog post I've also had my 19th birthday, tried even more vegan products, fallen in love with reading again (thanks booktube!), managed to finish Mockingjay (I started reading it two and a half years ago!), taken way too many pictures of my cats, written a 30 page essay about Japan (which was for school, but still), and signed up for a trip to Russia next month. Exciting, exciting.

JANUARY | MONTH IN PICTURES

Happy February! As much I would love to sit down every Sunday and choose pictures from that week to post on my blog, it's not really possible, as my life really isn't exciting enough for that. So instead, I thought I would try to post pictures from each month. Although, not gonna lie, there might not be anything else than pictures of cats and food to post most of the time, but I'll try my best. Here's my January.

A young Swedish speaking Finn, originally from a small town, now living in Helsinki where I'm studying at university.

Writing, taking photos and reading are a big part of my life, which you'll notice on my blog. I'm a vegetarian, and like to give advice for a meatless life for other people, too. Overall, on my blog you can find posts about my life and things I enjoy.

Other things I like: cats, the smell of a new book, Japan, going to concerts, owls, and YouTube videos.